Health & Wellness

Articles

How to Deal with Dieting Diversions

Have you ever just started a diet only to be met with an invitation to a must-attend dinner party that includes a menu full of foods other than YOUR diet foods? Dieting is not always easy, and there will always be food temptations around the corner. Here are three scenarios that will tempt you to divert from your dieting goals and some solutions to help you stay on the right path.
Cake, Donuts, Pizza and More in the Office Breakroom
Avoid the breakroom like the plague
Enlist a coworker to help keep you on track
Keep healthy snacks such as...

Curry Powder Health Perks

Did you know that curry powder is made from a variety of spices and not from just one ingredient? Curry powder ingredients can vary depending on locality and personal taste, but it typically includes cardamom, cayenne pepper, coriander, mustard seed, and turmeric. And thanks to the variety of ingredients used to make curry powder, health benefits range from cancer-preventative benefits to blood sugar control, and cholesterol management to the removal of toxic metals from the body. Turmeric alone plays a big role in health perks, including lowering the risk of diabetes, inhibiting the growth of certain cancer cells, and being...

Grapes: A Live-Long and Prosper Fruit

When it comes to prepping fruit, grapes are one of the easiest: just rinse under cold running water, pat dry, and enjoy. And if you're a grape lover, you know how easy it is to eat handful after handful - which is a good thing when it comes to healthy eating, considering grapes are linked to a long life. Grapes contain phytonutrients, and one in particular, resveratrol, has been shown to play a part in longevity. Grapes are also filled with beta-carotene and contain melatonin. And lucky for us that all of the grape is edible as the seed and...

Serve a Healthy Cranberry Sauce with Winter Roasts

Poor cranberries, they don't get enough love. They shine bright on the Thanksgiving dinner menu and then they all but disappear from the table. That's why you'll want to make this wonderful Cranberry sauce to pair with winter roasts. This sweet and savory pairing makes for a special meal that can be enjoyed for any occasion. The phytonutrients found in cranberries offer various health benefits, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant benefits. Cranberries are a very good source of fiber, manganese, and vitamins C and E and a good source of copper, panthothenic acid, and vitamins E and K.
Cranberry, Apple,...

Turn Up Your Health with Albacore Tuna

Whether you prefer to eat albacore tuna in solid larger pieces, like a fillet, or in smaller pieces, like from a can, you cannot go wrong with this white meat tuna. Albacore tuna is high in complete protein, which helps to build and repair tissues, helps to produce enzymes and makes muscles contract, and serves as a backup source of energy. It is also high in selenium, which when combined with proteins creates substances that act as antioxidants and regulate thyroid hormones. Selenium also helps to manage the immune response. And albacore tuna is a great source of heart-healthy omega-3...

Meatless Monday: Fettuccine with Asparagus and Shiitakes

If you’re looking for a new Meatless Monday dish that is both filling and full of flavor, you’ll want to put this recipe on your to-make list. The Shiitake mushrooms add richness to the dish while asparagus adds fresh taste and crunchy texture. Shiitake mushrooms are known as medicinal mushrooms because they have been used for medicinal purposes for a very long time. When the antioxidants found in Shiitake mushrooms are combined with its immune system support, Shiitake mushrooms offer protection from problems that involve oxidative stress and immune function. Shiitake mushrooms are an excellent source of copper, pantothenic acid,...

Pass the Pepper, Please!

The next time you season your food with black pepper, remember this: black pepper improves digestion and promotes intestinal health. When you consume black pepper it stimulates the taste buds in such a way that a message is sent to the stomach to produce more hydrochloric acid secretion, which aids digestion. Hydrochloric acid is necessary for the digestion of proteins and other food components in the stomach. Without proper production of hydrochloric acid, food may stay in the stomach longer than usual, which can result in heartburn or indigestion. Black pepper also has diaphoretic and diuretic properties which help promote...

6 Ways to Enjoy Grapefruit

When it comes to grapefruit either you’re Team Grapefruit or you’re not. If you’re Team Grapefruit, you probably can’t get enough of this citrus and stock up on it for lip-smacking drinks and unique dishes. In addition to being an excellent source of vitamin C, grapefruit is also rich in lycopene, a carotenoid phytonutrient. Lycopene helps to fight oxygen free radicals which can damage cells. According to one study, regularly eating lycopene-rich foods may reduce a man’s risk for developing prostate cancer. Grapefruit also contains pectin, a form of soluble fiber that has been shown in animal studies to minimize...

Juice Your Way to Better Health

For some people, consuming the recommended 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables per day is a food feat, especially if they’re picky eaters. One easy and delicious way to get more fruits and vegetables is with juicing. Juicing is a great way to combine your favorite fruits and vegetables into one drink for a powerful dose of multiple health benefits, including a rich content of phytonutrients and flavonoids. Phytonutrients and flavonoids provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities that may be beneficial for treating conditions such as diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
And when it comes to juicing, the crop’s the limit!...

Boost Your Health with Turmeric

Have you ever seen a diverse grouping of spices mounded in bowls or on small plates? If yes, your eyes were probably drawn to the rich orange-yellow color of turmeric. This spice comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant and has been used for centuries in the Chinese and Indian cultures as medicine to treat bruises, chest pain, colic, and toothaches just to name a few. Turmeric has also been used for wedding ceremonies and to dye clothing and thread. And, yes, for cooking and eating, too! Turmeric is an impressive spice.
Curcuma longa looks like ginger and...

In Season

Get ready for springtime! March 21 marks the official beginning of the spring season. This means spring showers, spring flowers, and whole new crop of fresh spring foods. This month, take the opportunity to enjoy a few winter favorites that are still at their peak, and to get a first taste of the spring season's freshest picks.